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1. How do I become eligible to ride LIFTS?

For persons within the Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha metro areas, Linn County LIFTS is a complimentary paratransit service. This means it is for persons who are unable to ride the public transit system because of a mental or physical disability. To be qualified, you must complete and submit an ADA Paratransit Application. Your application will be processed and a determination will be made as soon as possible.

LIFTS also provides accessible door-to-door public transportation services for senior citizens, people with disabilities and the general public throughout non-metropolitan areas of Linn County. For this service no qualification process is required. Please note – Persons in rural Linn County requesting rides should give as much as a week’s lead time to get their rides scheduled. Call 319-892-5170 if you have questions.  

2. How do I make a reservation to ride LIFTS?

To make a reservation to ride LIFTS, call 319-892-5170, dispatch will be connected. Please call between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Reservations can be made up to seven days in advance.

LIFTS will not accept reservations in the form of a phone message, but you can leave us a message to call you back and make a reservation. Individuals should schedule rides at least one day prior to but no more than thirty days in advance of the day they need a ride. LIFTS will provide same-day service if space is available.  

Be prepared to provide the following information when speaking with our staff:

• Any special loading instructions, such as use alley, side door, call ahead, etc.
• Appointment time (if any), or requested time for pick up
• Date riding
• Description of special needs, such as using a wheel chair, type of wheel chair (electric, extra wide, etc.) oxygen tank, service animal, escort, etc.
• Doctor’s name and phone number (if any)
• Drop off address
• Name and contact number of the person requesting the reservation
• Pick up address (include apartment or suite number)
• Your name (rider's name if calling in for someone)

LIFTS staff will then negotiate a pickup time within a two hour window (one hour each way) of your initially requested time. Once a time has been negotiated the bus may arrive 15 minutes before or after this time based on delays or cancellations that occur.

3. How much does it cost to ride LIFTS?

Within the Metro Area:

The basic cost of a one-way ride is $3.00.  Riders must pay when boarding the vehicle.  The correct fare must be paid in cash, tokens, or return ride cards.  Drivers are NOT able to provide change.  Riders who do not have the proper fare will not be transported.

If you need a personal care attendant, (a person or persons necessary for your health care), authorization must be approved by Cedar Rapids Transit.  This will be asked on the eligibility application for LIFTS.  This will allow the attendant(s) to ride for free – please notify the scheduler at the time the ride is requested.  Companions are different than personal care attendants. One (1) companion is eligible to ride with you for the regular fare.                                          

Extra companions (persons traveling with you simply for convenience) are permitted AS AVAILABILITY ALLOWS. Each companion will pay the $3.00 per one-way trip.

Outside the Metro Area::

The cost of a ride outside the metro area is $3.00 one way for senior citizens and disabled.  The cost for general public is $6.00 one way.

Service Animals:

The scheduler needs to know if a Service Animal will accompany you when scheduling the trip.  Service animals are welcome on LIFTS buses.

4. How do I cancel a LIFTS ride?

It is important to cancel your ride as early as possible. By doing this, you make it possible for other riders to get the transportation they need.

Call 319-892-5170; the phone is staffed with an employee Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is a voice mail system in place at all times to assist you in directing your call. You may call anytime day or night to cancel a ride. You must cancel at least one hour prior to the ride to avoid a missed ride (see the missed ride policy below).  

If you are calling after hours for a cancellation, please leave the name of the rider, telephone number, date(s) and time(s) of trips you want cancelled. It is also helpful to include the pick-up and drop-off addresses of all the trips you wish to cancel.

Drivers cannot make scheduling changes. Please do not ask them to make any changes for you.  All schedule changes must be done through direct communication with the LIFTS scheduler. Please call for any changes -319-892-5170.

5. Can someone ride along with me on the bus?

If you need a personal care attendant, (a person or persons necessary for your health care), authorization must be approved by Cedar Rapids Transit. This will be asked on the eligibility application for LIFTS. This will allow the attendant(s) to ride for free – please notify the scheduler at the time the ride is requested. Companions are different than personal care attendants. One (1) companion is eligible to ride with you for the regular fare. Extra companions (persons traveling with you simply for convenience) are permitted as availability allows. Each companion will pay the $3 per one-way trip.

6. Are service animals permitted on the bus?

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, "service animal" means any guide dog, signal dog or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders and sounds, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.

Your service animal is welcome on LIFTS. No permit is required, but you may be asked to confirm that your animal is a service animal. You are responsible for the care and supervision of your animal while on board.  A service animal should remain on the floor or in a customer's lap, but cannot be given its own seat.  Uncontrolled service animals or service animals which threaten other customers cannot be accommodated.

An animal which solely provides emotional support, well-being, comfort or companionship is not a service animal. These types of animals, "companion animals," are considered pets are not allowed to be transported on LIFTS buses, unless they are in an approved pet carrier.

7. What hours do LIFTS buses run?

In the metro area (Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Marion) service is provided:

• Monday – Friday: 6 a.m. to 6:40 p.m.
• Saturday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Holidays -  LIFTS is closed New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day,  Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Times may vary for the observed holiday dates, if they differ from the actual holiday.

8. Does LIFTS provide service on the weekends?

LIFTS does provide limited service on Saturdays, but does not provide service on Sundays. Saturday service is generally limited to the Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha metro areas (no rural/county service).